Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I have to begin with the same old story of "nothing new". The fact is it is awful
dull here and I am getting tired of the monotany, but perhaps ere long we will
have something to do more exciting than drill. We dont seem as though we would
be allowed to remain here idle all summer with no enemy any where near us, there
are some 20 thousand men her and I cant see why so many are kept here Isee by
the papers that the Vermont 1st Brigade are on the so. side of the river again
and not without some loss in getting there. I dont hardly think Hooker intends
advancing yet but perhaps is making a feint only. I got your letter yesterday
written Sunday it was only 2 1/2 days on the road. do mine go through as quick.
We expect here every day to have some promotions in our Regt but no one knows
who are to be the lucky ones. As I wrote before I dont have any idea of getting
a promotion
I know the line officers are (almost without an
exception) in my favor of my having a place but their say dont go very far. I would not wonder if one of our junior
Capts got promoted to Major as Capt Brooks is a Constant Companion of Col Ripley
and of the same stamp. My Co are doing finely in Drill and quite a number of
Officers have told me I have got the best drilled Co. in the Regt. I have
scarcely got any sickness and the men are looking finely, I hope the roguish
children wont get immanagable and I think you will manage them about as well as
though I were there to assist you I dont know in whose hands they could be
better than in yours. Teach them to respect you and never allow them to use a
saucy word to you I have learned in military life that men are more easy
governed by teaching them to respect me and keeping them at a distance than any
other way and the same rule will hold good with children. We are having very
warm weather here and now but it looks like rain and we will be pleased to see
it come to cool the air Kiss the children and tell them that Father wants them
to always be good Give my love to Mary and be of good cheer.
Affly YoursV.G. Barney